Abstract:

A device is provided for guiding a movement of a bar-type wind deflector
in relation to a roof frame in a region between a position of use and a
position of non-use, especially on a cabriolet. At least one pair of
rotary levers is provided on the wind deflector. The rotary levers are
mounted on the wind deflector at a first rotary lever end such that they
can rotate about a first rotational axis, and on the roof frame at a
second rotary lever end such that they can rotate about a second
rotational axis, the rotational axes being parallel to each other. The
rotary levers of each pair are staggered in relation to each other at
least in the direction of a normal of one of the rotational axes. The
rotational axes of each pair form the vertexes of a parallelogram.

Claims:

1-11. (canceled)

12. A device for guiding a movement of a lamellar wind deflector with
respect to a roof frame in a range between a use position and a non-use
position, comprisingat least one pair of rotary levers,wherein the rotary
levers form a rotary lever arrangement between the wind deflector and the
roof frame, andthe rotary levers are offset with respect to one another
to form a parallelogram linkage.

13. The device as claimed in claim 12, whereinthe rotary levers are
rotatably mounted at a first rotary lever end on the wind deflector by,
in each case, a first rotary axle, and at a second rotary lever end on
the roof frame by in each case a second rotary axle,all the rotary axles
are parallel to one another,the rotary levers of each of the at least one
pair being offset with respect to one another in a direction of a normal
to one of the rotary axles, andthe rotary axles of each pair forming, in
a cross section, the corner points of a parallelogram.

14. The device as claimed in claim 13, whereinthe rotary axles of at least
two pairs of the pairs of rotary levers form, in cross section, the
corner points of in each case one parallelogram per pair, anda rotary
lever may belong to a plurality of pairs, permitting formation of
congruent parallelograms, and partially or fully overlapping
parallelograms.

15. The device as claimed in claim 14, whereinat least one of the rotary
levers or second rotary axles has a drive.

16. The device as claimed in claim 15, whereinthe driven rotary lever is
arranged to be driven by a crank arm.

17. The device as claimed in claim 16, whereinthe wind deflector is at
least one of latchable and lockable in at least one of a use position and
in a non-use position.

18. The device as claimed in claim 17, whereineach of two rotary levers of
a pair of rotary levers, arranged offset with respect to one another in
the direction of the rotary axles at in each case one end of the wind
deflector, forms in each case one pair with at least one driven rotary
lever arranged in a central region of the wind deflector and offset with
respect to the two rotary levers of the pair of rotary levers in the
direction of a normal to one of the rotary axles, andparallelograms of
the pairs of rotary levers fully overlap one another viewed in a
direction of the longitudinal axes of the rotary axles.

19. The device as claimed in claim 18, whereintwo driven rotary levers are
arranged in the central region of the wind deflector, andsaid two driven
rotary levers are offset with respect to one another in the direction of
the rotary axles.

20. The device as claimed in claim 19, whereinthe wind deflector is
curved.

21. The device as claimed in claim 20, whereina fine-mesh fabric is
arranged between the wind deflector and the roof frame.

22. The device as claimed in claim 21, whereinthe fine-mesh fabric is
stowable on at least one of the wind deflector and the roof frame.

Description:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001]This application is a U.S. National Phase of PCT International
Application No. PCT/EP2007/003670, filed on Apr. 26, 2007, which claims
priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to German Application No. 10 2006 023
911.3, filed May 19, 2006, the entire disclosures of which are expressly
incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002]The invention relates to a device for guiding a movement of a
lamellar wind deflector with respect to a roof frame in a range between a
use position and a non-use position, in particular on a cabriolet.

[0003]To avoid air draft and turbulence, wind deflectors are often
provided on cabriolets. To adapt to different operating conditions, for
example driving with an open or closed top, said wind deflector may be
designed to be adjustable between a use position at a maximum distance
from a roof frame, for example the roof frame of a cabriolet, and a
non-use position in the vicinity of the roof frame.

[0004]German Patent Publication No. 38 33 046 A1 describes a motor vehicle
having a cabriolet top and a wind deflector, in which a wind deflector is
arranged on a front roof cross-member and can be adjusted between a rest
position and an operating position by means of a raising device. The
adjustment takes place, however, in a pivoting movement, in which the
angle of the wind guiding element varies, which is disadvantageous in
terms of aerodynamics.

[0005]It is an object of the invention to specify an improved device for
guiding a movement of a lamellar wind deflector with respect to a roof
frame in a range between a use position and a non-use position.

[0006]For the device according to the invention for guiding a movement of
a lamellar wind deflector with respect to a roof frame in a range between
a use position and a non-use position, a rotary lever arrangement is
provided which comprises at least one pair of rotary levers which are
arranged so as to be offset with respect to one another in such a way as
to form a parallelogram linkage.

[0007]In a simple embodiment, the rotary levers are rotatably mounted at a
first rotary lever end on the wind deflector by in each case one first
rotary axle. At a second rotary lever end, the rotary levers are
rotatably mounted on the roof frame by in each case one second rotary
axle. The roof frame may for example be the roof frame of a cabriolet.
All the rotary axles lie parallel to one another. The rotary levers of
the pair are arranged offset with respect to one another at least in the
direction of a normal to one of the rotary axles. The cross-sectional
area between the rotary axles of the pair forms a parallelogram with the
rotary axles as corner points. Such an arrangement of the rotary axles
permits a parallel movement of the wind deflector. The wind deflector is
prevented from tilting since, in this way, the wind deflector itself is
part of the parallelogram.

[0008]A plurality of pairs of rotary levers is preferably formed, such
that, in cross section, their rotary axles form the corner points of in
each case one parallelogram per pair. Here, a rotary lever may belong to
a plurality of pairs. The resulting parallelograms may be in congruent
alignment and/or may at least partially overlap one another when
projected onto one another.

[0009]In order to be able to move the wind deflector not only manually, a
drive is preferably provided at least on one of the rotary levers or its
second rotary axle. In the case of three rotary levers, the rotary levers
may for example be arranged equidistantly on the wind deflector, with a
rotary lever which is arranged between the two other rotary levers being
provided with a drive.

[0010]The drive of a rotary lever preferably takes place by means of a
crank arm. A crank arm of said type may for example have a first crank
arm end and a second crank arm end. At its first crank arm end, the crank
arm is mounted so as to be rotatable about a crank arm axle which lies
substantially parallel to the rotary axles and which is arranged on the
roof frame. At its second crank arm end, the crank arm has a rotationally
symmetrical pin which engages into a slot or a groove which is provided
on the driven rotary lever. Such a drive is suitable in particular for
converting a rotational movement for example of an electric motor, which
drives the crank arm, into a rectilinear movement, such as is to be
performed by the wind deflector.

[0011]The wind deflector preferably has a use position at a maximum
distance from the roof frame and a non-use position close to the roof
frame, in which positions said wind deflector can be latched or locked.
Such a latching action may take place by retaining clamps or similar
devices which require an increased expenditure of force in order to leave
the respective position. In the use position in particular, the latching
may take place by virtue of the crank arm being perpendicular to the slot
or groove, such that the linkage composed of the rotary lever and crank
arm is self-locking. It is also possible, for example in the non-use
position, for end-position locking of at least one rotary lever to take
place by means of spring-loaded bolts which are controlled by a Bowden
cable which is actuated for example by means of an idle stroke of the
crank arm which is situated in the non-use position.

[0012]In a particularly preferred embodiment, two rotary levers, which are
offset with respect to one another only in the direction of the rotary
axles, are arranged in the vicinity of in each case one end of the wind
deflector. Furthermore, a driven rotary lever is arranged in a central
region of the wind deflector and is offset with respect to the two rotary
levers in the direction of a normal to one of the rotary axles. Each of
the two rotary levers, which are arranged at the ends, forms a pair with
the driven rotary lever. Here, the parallelograms of the pairs fully
overlap one another in the viewing direction of the rotary axles. In this
way, the arrangement is made highly stable against twisting, which would
occur with the use of a total of only two rotary levers if these were
arranged at a large distance from one another on the wind deflector.

[0013]The use of two driven rotary levers in the central region of the
wind deflector, which two driven rotary levers are offset with respect to
one another only in the direction of the rotary axles, additionally
improves stability. The drive of the rotary levers may take place
together, for example by a common second rotary axle or by means of crank
arms which are connected to one another.

[0014]The wind deflector may be curved in order to follow a predefined
shape of the roof frame. Both a sickle-shaped curvature over an edge of
the wind deflector and also a curvature or arching of the surface of the
wind deflector or a combination of these are possible. The desired offset
of the rotary levers in the region of the ends with respect to those in
the central region is facilitated in both cases.

[0015]To prevent air turbulence, it may be advantageous to arrange a
fine-mesh fabric between the wind deflector and the roof frame.

[0016]Said fine-mesh fabric may preferably be rolled up in the manner of a
roller blind on the wind deflector or on the roof frame, such that said
fabric is not in the way or trapped when the wind deflector is moved into
the non-use position.

[0017]Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of
one or more preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018]FIG. 1 shows a side view of a device for guiding the movement of a
lamellar wind deflector which is in a use position according to an
embodiment of the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 2 shows a side view of a device for guiding a movement of a
lamellar wind deflector which is in a non-use position according to an
embodiment of the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a lamella, which serves as a wind
deflector, with a device for adjusting the lamella according to an
embodiment of the present invention.

[0021]Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference symbols in
all the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022]FIG. 1 shows a side view of a device for guiding a movement of a
lamellar wind deflector 1 with respect to a roof frame 2, with the wind
deflector 1 being in a use position I at a maximum distance from the roof
frame 2. The wind deflector 1 is convexly curved at its edge which is
situated at the left in the drawing. The roof frame 2 may be the roof
frame of a cabriolet.

[0023]A rotary lever arrangement which comprises a pair of rotary levers
3.1, 3.2 can be seen on the wind deflector 1 between the latter and the
roof frame 2, with the rotary levers 3.1, 3.2 being rotatably mounted on
the wind deflector 1 at a first rotary lever end 4 by means of in each
case one first rotary axle 5.

[0024]At a second rotary lever end 6, the rotary levers 3.1, 3.2 are
rotatably mounted on the roof frame 2 by in each case one second rotary
axle 7. All the rotary axles lie parallel to one another. The rotary
levers 3.1, 3.2 of the pair are arranged offset with respect to one
another in the direction of a normal to one of the rotary axles 5 and 7.
Furthermore, the rotary levers 3.1, 3.2 are axially offset, such that the
right-hand rotary lever 3.1 is arranged at one end of the wind deflector
1 and the left-hand rotary lever 3.2 is arranged in a central region of
the wind deflector 1.

[0025]The rotary axles 5, 7 of the pair form the corner points of a
parallelogram P.

[0026]A further rotary lever 3.1 is arranged at another end of the wind
deflector 1 in such a way that said further rotary lever 3.1 is merely
axially offset with respect to the right-hand rotary lever 3.1 (not
shown, as hidden by the right-hand rotary lever 3.1). A parallelogram
formed by the further rotary lever 3.1 with the left-hand rotary lever
3.2 therefore fully overlaps the parallelogram P which is shown.

[0027]The rotary levers 3.1 and 3.2 which are arranged between the wind
deflector 1 and the roof frame 2 therefore form a parallelogram linkage
for controlling the movement of the wind deflector 1. Such an arrangement
of the rotary levers 3.1 and 3.2 and their rotary axles 5, 7 permits a
parallel movement of the wind deflector 1. The wind deflector 1 is
prevented from tilting about a longitudinal axis since, in this way, the
wind deflector 1 forms a side of the parallelogram P. The rotary lever
3.2 is preferably driven, for example by a crank arm (not shown).

[0028]FIG. 2 shows a side view of the device for guiding the movement of
the lamellar wind deflector 1 with respect to the roof frame 2 from FIG.
1, with the wind deflector 1 being in a non-use position II in the
vicinity of the roof frame 2. For this purpose, the rotary levers 3.1,
3.2 have been pivoted clockwise.

[0029]FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a lamellar wind deflector 1 with
a device for guiding a movement of a lamellar wind deflector 1 with
respect to a roof frame 2. The wind deflector 1 is situated in a use
position I at a maximum distance from a roof frame 2.

[0030]The wind deflector 1 is curved about its edge which points rearward
in the vehicle, and to the bottom left in the figure.

[0031]Four rotary levers 3.1, 3.2 are provided on the wind deflector 1, of
which two rotary levers 3.1 are arranged in the vicinity of in each case
one end of the wind deflector 1, and of which two rotary levers 3.2 are
arranged in a central region of the wind deflector 1.

[0032]The rotary levers 3.2 in the central region have a drive in the form
of crank arms 8 with a common crank arm axle 9. The rotary levers 3.1 in
the vicinity of the ends of the wind deflector 1 are not driven in the
exemplary embodiment shown.

[0033]The rotary levers 3.1 are offset with respect to one another only
axially, but axially and radially with respect to the rotary levers 3.2,
that is to say in the direction of a normal to one of the rotary axles 5,
7. The rotary levers 3.2 in turn are offset with respect to one another
only axially, such that all the pairs of rotary levers 3.1, 3.2 which are
formed lead to fully overlapping parallelograms, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0034]The first line L1, which connects the first rotary axles 5 of the
rotary levers 3.1, and the second line L2, which connects the first
rotary axles 5 of the rotary levers 3.2, show the radial offset of the
rotary levers 3.1, 3.2.

[0035]Retaining clamps 10 are provided on the roof frame 2, into which
retaining clamps the first rotary axles 5 slide when the wind deflector 1
is moved into a non-use position II in the vicinity of the roof frame 2.
The wind deflector 1 is held there such that it does not inadvertently
leave the non-use position II as a result of relative wind or other
forces. Further retaining devices 11 are provided for this purpose on the
front edge of the wind deflector 1, the counterparts 12 of which
retaining devices 11 are arranged on the roof frame.

[0036]In order to fix the lamella in the non-use position II, it is
possible for locking devices to be provided in particular on the rotary
levers 3.1 but also on the rotary levers 3.2. A locking device preferably
comprises, on each rotary lever 3.1, a spring-loaded bolt (not
illustrated) which engages laterally in a suitable way into the rotary
lever 3.1 in order to latch the latter. The bolt is actuated for example
by a Bowden cable which is arranged on a crank arm 8 in such a way that
the bolt latches the rotary lever 3.1 when the crank arm 8 is situated in
the non-use position II and performs an idle stroke.

[0037]To prevent air turbulence, a fine-mesh fabric may be arranged
between the wind deflector 1 and the roof frame 2.

[0038]Said fabric 2 may preferably be rolled up in the manner of a roller
blind on the wind deflector 1 and/or on the roof frame 2, such that said
fabric is not in the way or trapped when the wind deflector 1 is moved
into the non-use position II.

[0039]The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the
invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the
disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the
invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should
be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended
claims and equivalents thereof.